newsletter 2020

                                                    Park Hills Country Club

                                                 September 2020 Newsletter

The predominant news of Park Hills is, without a doubt, the condition of the greens. Here’s a recap, current situation, and projection of what the membership can expect over the next month and beyond.

As a reminder, an adverse reaction of the greens to a plant protectant application in June caused areas of the green to decline. The decline was expected to abate as the effect of the product subsided, however, the summer heat and humidity extended the stress period, casing greater decline than originally predicted. It recently became clear that restoration of the greens would entail a more comprehensive process.

On Monday, August 31 we spot over seeded all the greens except #6 and #8. This was done by hand preparing and over seeding the thin and/or damaged areas of the greens. #6 and #8 were extensively aerated and over seed. The process went smoothly, and excellent results are expected.

To promote germination, daytime watering with the overhead irrigation system will be necessary. Twice per day, the heads will run for 5 or 10 minutes. This procedure will continue for approximately 10 days until the seed has germinated and emerged.

After germination, greens #6 and #8 will be closed and a temporary hole will be cut in front of the green. All other greens will remain open for play.

While certainly a short-term quality decline and inconvenience, the silver lining is the opportunity to introduce an upgraded bentgrass cultivar in the areas of the greens affected. We assure you, there was no intent to remove Poa annua or any of the inferior bentgrass strains present in the greens. 

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and reduced greens quality you, the Park Hills member, have and will endure. 

Dick Stuntz

Oaks Golf

                                                         August 29, 2020

TO: Park Hills Country Club Membership

FROM: Dick Stuntz, Oaks Golf Management

RE: Park Hills Greens Restoration

As we are all aware, an adverse reaction of the Park Hills CC greens to a series of Plant Protectants applications back in June have cause some areas of the greens to decline. The decline was expected to abate as the effect of the products applied subsided, however, the combination of the products applied and the summer heat and humidity extended the stress period, causing greater decline than originally predicted. As such, the following remedies will be enacted:

1. Weather permitting, on Monday, August 31st, the greens will be over seeded. This procedure will include an aggressive verticutting, seeding and application of a starter fertilizer. Not all areas of the greens will be seeded but some of the greens will be seeded entirely. 

2. The “after-care” of the seeded greens will come in stages. 

• a. Daytime watering to promote germination will be practiced for approximately two weeks.
• b. Greens will remain in play for the first week.
• c. Starting week two, two or three of the greens may (and I emphasis “may”) be taken out of play to allow for the young seeding to survive and mature.
• d. Resumption of use of any greens taken out of play will be dependent on weather and their subsequent progress – estimate – 2 weeks.
• 
  

I would like to assure the PHCC membership that I have conducted greens restoration, re-grassing and repair on many occasions over my 43-year career as a Golf Course Superintendent and Manager. I have total confidence the process here at Park Hills will be successful, and will actually be beneficial in the long run as the seeding process will give us the opportunity to introduce an upgraded bentgrass cultivar into the greens, producing a better playing surface in the future.

Despite the improvement opportunity, we do apologize for the inconvenience and reduced greens quality you, the Park Hills members, have, and will endure over the next phase of this process.